How to Use External Libraries with Anjuta

BIOL 5200: Fall 2004 Modeling Biological Systems J. Haefner
How to Use External Libraries with Anjuta
version 0.3: September 14, 2004
Introduction
A library is a collection of binary, compiled files that provide some function. For example, you have already
used a library of files when you use the input/output functions of standard C. Being compiled, you can not
edit or alter the code. This is often a bad thing; but, on the other hand, you don’t have to compile or
debug the code. Hopefully, the author has found all the bugs before creating the library. Generally, the
files included in the libraries are not complete, stand-alone programs. Rather they are simply code that has
been compiled but not linked with other code to create an executeable file. Usually, they have no main()
function. (You supply that when you create a program that uses the libraries.)
There are two problems associated with using these libraries. First, you have to know where they are so
that you can instruct the compiler how to include them in your project or program. Second, the libraries are
composed of functions that take arguments and return or change values. To properly invoke these functions,
you have to know how to use the so-called API (Application Programmer’s Interface). This knowledge is
imparted to you by means of something called “documentation.”
Setting-Up anjuta to Use Libraries
After you create a project, tell the compiler and linker where you want them to look for files.
1. On top menu bar, select Settings. A drop-down menu appears with items including:
• Compiler and Linker Settings . . .
• Source Paths . . .
• Commands . . .
• . . .
Select Compiler and Linker Settings . . . , and the following window appears.
2. Click on the tab labeled Include Paths
In the editing field, type in the following and after each, click on Add:
• ../include
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BIOL 5200: Fall 2004 Modeling Biological Systems J. Haefner
• /usr/local/dislin
• /usr/local/share/MBS
The order does not matter. When all have been entered, click Update
The window should look like this:
3. Select Library Paths. In the editing field type and after each add the following paths:
• /usr/local/share/MBS
• /usr/local/dislin
Then click Update.
The window should look like this:
4. Select Libraries. In the editing field, type in the following and after each, click on Add:
• xyplot
• dislnc
• gsl
• gslcblas
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BIOL 5200: Fall 2004 Modeling Biological Systems J. Haefner
The first 2 are libraries needed for plotting. The last 2 are GSL numerical methods libraries. We’ll use
these again in the near future.
Click Update,
The window should look like this:
Then Click Close. You may then see the following window:
Click No.
If you mess this up by clicking Yes, go to the top-level drop-down menu bar and do:
Build → Auto Generate ...
Anjuta will then reconstruct your project files; it will take a few seconds.
Save your project: these settings will be stored. Compile and build as in the past. If you create a new
project using these libraries, you will have to repeat the process.
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